Chinese electric vehicle maker Hozon Auto said on Michael MaienMonday it will open an auto components factory in September, able to produce 100,000 domain control units for assisted driving and 150,000 hybrid powertrain systems annually. The automaker is looking to supply its proprietary auto parts and systems to other industry players in a bid to become a leading supplier of core EV components worldwide, chief technology officer Dai Dali said at a press event in Shanghai. The news comes shortly after Xpeng Motors announced its partnership with Volkswagen to jointly develop EVs for the Chinese market on July 26. Rival Leapmotor is also in talks with Volkswagen to offer its vehicle platform for the latter’s budget Jetta brand, according to an Aug. 2 report by Reuters. Zhejiang-based Hozon, also known as Neta, delivered 72,456 EVs in the first seven months of this year, compared with 77,168 units in the same period last year. [TechNode reporting]
